Lighting fixture with removable arms having electrical connection means

ABSTRACT

A lighting fixture with arms, comprising at least a central body, a plurality of protruding radial arms and clutching means for fastening said arms to the central body and for the electric connection of the bulb-carrying arms, comprising a fixed element ( 1 ) connected to said central body and a movable element ( 3,3 ′) connected to the end portion of each arm and introduced into the fixed element ( 1 ). 
     The movable element ( 3 ′), connected to the end of an arm ( 4 ) carrying no bulb, is provided at the end portion with a blind tube ( 25 ) and the movable element ( 3 ), connected to the end of an arm ( 5 ) carrying a bulb ( 6 ), is provided with two electrical wins ( 41 ) connecting a bulb-holder for the bulb ( 6 ) to an electric contact means ( 15,17 ) that protrudes from the movable element ( 3 ) facing the fixed element( 1 ).

The present invention relates to a lighting fixture with arms. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a lighting fixturecomprising one or more central bodies and a plurality of protrudingradial arms, and provided with means for a quick and easy mechanicalpositioning and electric connection of the arms in the central body.

Lighting fixtures comprising a centered body and a plurality ofprotruding radial arms and provided with means for a quick and easymechanical and electrical connections of the arms to the centered bodyare known from GB No. 416, FR-A-2377576; DE 8905616 and U.S. Pat. No.6,707,770.

As used herein and in the claims, the term “lighting fixture” comprisesany lighting device from metal, glass, wood, majolica, plastic materialor other materials, which hangs from the ceiling or rests on the flooror on a top or is arranged on posts or stands, for artificially lightinga room or also for ornamental purposes. Examples of lighting fixturescomprise chandeliers, wall lanterns, desk lamps, bed lamps and the like.As is known, for the production of such lighting fixtures severaloperations are performed that comprise:

the formation of arms which, once provided with bulbs, require a smallelectric system to be arranged in the inside of their components;

the complete formation of the central body to which the accessories, theelements necessary to fasten said fixtures to ceilings or walls, thebulb-carrying arms, the arms carrying no bulbs which bear ornamentalparts (“pastorals” from crystal, drops from crystal having differentshapes and size, supports for other ornamental elements, etc.) are to beassembled;

the realisation of the whole electrical system which, from the centralbody, connects all the bulbs of the fixture to one another;

the arrangement of all the ornamental elements provided and required;

lastly, the connection of the fixture to the mains.

The actuation of all these operations, and in particular the executionof electric connections, requires much time and work, which stillincreases if said connections are made in full compliance with thesevere norms in force.

The aesthetic completion of these fixture and the accurate packagingthey require further increase the engagement of the producers andsellers. Therefore, also these activities are to be considered in theeconomic balance, especially when the same must be actuated out-house,both by the manufacturers and the sellers of these fixtures.

Object of this invention is to provide contrivances allowing to simplifysaid work by eliminating some operations, and to obtain an easy andfacilitated mechanic positioning and electric connection of the arms ofthe lighting fixture provided with several arms.

More particularly, object of the present invention is to provideparticular arrangements of all the parts which constitute and make upsaid fixtures, causing their assembly to be easier and more rational,and eliminating the complex and complicated electric systems.

A further object of the present invention is to simplify the mechanicalassembly of the arms to the central core of the fixture, and theconnection and fastening operations of the same.

A lighting fixture having the features of the preamble of claim 1 isknown from GB-A-416. This document discloses a lighting fixture witharms comprising: at least a central body; a plurality of projectingremovable radial arms, and means for fastening the arms to the centralbody and for electrically connecting the bulb-carrying arms to a mainconsisting of only one clutching means comprising a fixed element,connected to the central body and provided with annular electricalconductors, and a movable element, connected to the end portion of eacharm and provided with electrical contact means projecting from itssurface and contacting the electrical conductors, when the movableelement is inserted into the fixed element.

The lighting fixture of the present invention is characterized in thatthe electrical conductors are annular coil (spiral) springs located atthe base of the fixed element in such a position to contact thecorresponding electrical contacts of the movable elements, and in thatthe electrical contact means of the movable elements are jackplugs; saidjackplugs being inserted between two adjoining windings of the coil(spiral) springs, when each movable element is inserted into thecorresponding fixed element.

Particular embodiments of the lighting fixture of the present inventionare set forth in subclaims 2 to 10.

The mobile clutch between the arm and the central body allows to realiseat the same time in one only step both the mechanical connection of eacharm to the central body of the fixture, and the electric connectionsthat concern it.

To this aim, the clutch is provided with means to realise at the sametime several electric contacts.

Said means may be either a system obtained by means of coiled conductorsbetween which two cylindrical jackplugs are inserted, or a systemobtained by means of two thin metal rings that perform the function ofcoupled conductors, and which, like the first ones, provide-the energynecessary to turn on the bulbs of the chandelier or a prefixed sector ofthe same. The latter system works by means of contacts constituted by acouple of small metal springs that fit in and remain tight on thecylindrical rings. All the arms radially placed and fastened in theseats of the body supporting said suitably insulated conductors—whichare at the same time in contact with the energy source—converge towardsthe first and the second conductors.

In said fixtures, both the supports and the guides of the bulb-carryingarms are so sized as to support all the arms that have to sustain theornamental parts that complete the same, as also when the latter havenot the function of conducing and transmitting electric energy, theymust be arranged and supported by the same means and elements that bearthe bulb-carrying arms.

The advantages achieved by the lighting fixtures of the presentinvention comprise:

the simplification and speeding up of the processes necessary toproduce, prepare and compose the lighting fixtures;

the speeding up and improvement of all the steps of the assembly of saidfixtures;

the actuation and formation of components ready for the final assemblyof the fixture;

the simplification of the electric systems that must be workmanlikerealised for each fixture;

the possibility of final composition of the fixture also by those thatare not skilled in the art;

the possibility of obtaining perfectly assembled fixtures, without anyrecourse to adjustments which only those skilled in the art can makeonce the fixture is mounted;

in case of working defects, the possibility of repairing the same byremoving only the defective parts;

the possibility of reducing the size and quality of packages, andconsequently the transportation costs.

The constructive and functional characteristics of the lighting fixtureaccording to the present invention will be better understood thanks tothe following detailed description, wherein reference is made to theattached drawings which represent some embodiments of the presentinvention solely reported by way of non limiting indication, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned side view of a ceiling chandelier providedwith arms either with or without bulbs, radially fastened to a centralsupporting body or core through mobile clutches, with vertical axisguides actionable from up downwards;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the lighting fixture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the partly sectioned side view of a second ceiling lightingfixture, provided with several central supporting bodies to whichseveral arms, either with or without bulbs, and crystal drops united toone another and supported by the arms carrying no bulbs radiallyfastened by means of mobile clutches with horizontal axis guides;

FIG. 4 is the top view of the lighting fixture of the preceding FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is the enlarged top view of a detail of the lighting fixture,indicated by “X” in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is the enlarged view of a detail of the lighting fixture,indicated by “Y” in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is the enlarged view of a variant of FIG. 5 and shows a differentway to actuate the electric system between the bulb-carrying arms andthe central body, by means of spring-clutches which insert in the wallsof vertical axis cylindrical conductors;

FIG. 8 is the same view as FIG. 6, provided with the electric contactsshown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is the side view of a longitudinal section of one of the twocentral bodies of the lighting fixture of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is the same view as FIG. 9 and shows the assembly sequence ofthe various components that make up the fixture provided at the endswith two bulb-carrying arms, differently oriented with regard to oneanother;

FIG. 11 is the side view of the central body of FIGS. 9 and 10, entirelyassembled;

FIG. 12 is the schematic view of the section obtained with a planepassing through the A—A line of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is the prospect mid-height view of the insulating ring that,assembled between the elements that make up the central body, insulatesthe two coiled conductors from one another, and places in the rightposition the circuit breakers;

FIG. 14 is the section of the lower element of the central body obtainedalong the G—G line of FIG. 6; said figure shows how the two coiledconductors are arranged to house the cylindrical jackplugs when thelatter, pushed, sets itself between two coils of the same to actuate thenecessary. contacts; and

FIG. 15 is the enlarged view of the detail indicated by “Z” in FIG. 14.

In the following, the present invention will be described by way ofexample, with reference to the chandeliers illustrated in the figures,even though the same may be applied to any other known lighting fixtureprovided with arms with or without bulbs.

The chandelier comprises one or several central bodies protected andsupported by covering and hooking means (2) and able to keep fixed theradial arms (4, 5) with or without bulbs. Said arms may have differentfunctions, for instance of support for decorative parts; of support forhooking means, bearing means and tie rods; or also of support and guidefor the components that form the bearing structure of the whole fixture.

All these figures also show the means that determine and realise at thesame time the assembly of the central body of the fixture and determinetheir electric connection to the same, wherein they shall finally resultto be united.

Said means have been designed to ensure the exact assembly of the armsin seats obtained in the central body through clutch-elements whichallow to perform the connection and the contact in a safe and quickmanner.

Said means for the assembly and electric connection of each arm (4,5, 7,8, 35, 36) to the central body (30, 31, 32, 33) comprise a fixed element(1) connected to said central body, and a movable element (3, 3′),connected to the end portion of each arm. Said fixed element (1) isalways equal and fixed to one of said central bodies and functions as asupport and guide for the arms, when the latter are inserted by means ofone of the movable elements (3, 3′). Anyhow, it makes part of thecentral body or bodies of the lighting fixture, even if it isdifferently applied to the same.

Both the fixed element (1) and the movable element (3, 3′) have atubular cylindrical or polygonal shape and the internal size and shapeof the fixed element (1) is substantially equal to or slightly smallerthan the external size and shape of the movable element (3, 3′), so thatthe movable element (3, 3′) can be introduced into the fixed one (1).

The movable element (3′), connected to the end portion of an arm (4)carrying no bulbs, comprises a blind tube (25) inserted in said endportion and fixed to the same by means of glues (39). A ring nut (9′)can surround and close said tube (25) in its upper open part opposite tothe blind part.

The movable element (3), connected to the end portion of a bulb carryingarm (5) comprises an open tube (21) inserted in said end portion andfixed to the same by means of glues. A ring nut (9) can surround andclose said tube (21) in its upper open part opposite to the one facingthe fixed element (1).

Within said movable element (3) fixed to arm (5) two electric. wires(41) are inserted, connected each, at one end, to a pole of a bulbholder for one bulb (6) and fixed at the opposite end by means of afastening screw (43) to an electric contact means (15, 17) whichprotrudes from the surface of the movable element (3) facing the fixedelement (1). Said electric contact means may be jackplugs (15) kept inposition by two half-bodies (42, 44) inserted into the open tube (21).

The movable element (3) is also provided with a central guide-hole (47)for its insertion on the fixed element (1). Jackplugs (15) may bereplaced by springs (17) constituted by thin metal straps (FIGS. 7-8).

The fixed element (1) comprises an open cylindrical tube fastened to thecentral body (30, 31) by means of a grommet (16).

The central body comprises a circular insulating element (18, 23),peripherally provided with circular seats (19). Two concentric annularelectric conductors (10, 11) are located in said annular seats (19) Thecircular seats (19) may be divided by an intermediate ring frominsulating material. An insulating ring (29) provided with protrusions(27) acting as finger protections, separates and insulates the twoannular electric conductors (10, 11). The circular seats (19) andprotrusions (27) are arranged at the base of the fixed element (1) andtheir position is such as to coincide with each jackplug (15)respectively spring (17) and with the central hole (47) when saidmovable element (3) is inserted in said fixed element (1). The electricconductor may be a coil (10) when the mobile element (3) is providedwith jackplugs (15) or a cylindrical foil form metal when the movableelement (3) is provided with springs (17).

The coiled annular conductor (10) or the cylindrical foil (11) isconnected to the mains through two only wires (20) coming from the mainsand passing through, an attachment tube (22) which causes the chandelierto hang from the ceiling.

The clutches with jackplugs (15) are realised when the latter are pushedand set between two coils of the coiled conductors (10) (FIG. 14).

Jackplugs (15) remain confined between two adjoining coils, both becauseof the force developed by the elasticity of the metal which forms a sortof spring and because of the push jackplugs receive from the same, astheir diameter is greater than the space where they are contained (FIG.14 and 15). As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the shaped springs (17) actuatethe contact when they are forced and caused to clasp the foil conductors(11) fastened in the central and insulating body (23), and connected tothe mains through wires (20).

FIG. 6 shows how the end movable elements (3, 3′) provided on thesupporting arms can be inserted in their seats and connected to theannular coiled conductors (10), through a vertical hand manoeuvre fromup downwards. FIG. 6, if examined upside-down, shows the movableelements (3, 3′) in the position necessary to be inserted in the fixedelements (1) through a vertical hand manoeuvre from down upwards. FIG. 8shows how the same end movable elements (3, 3′) of the bearing arms (4,5) can be connected to the annular cylindrical conductors (11), alwaysall equal, through a vertical hand manoeuvre to be carried out from updownwards.

FIG. 1 shows how the same movable end elements of the Supporting armsmay be connected to the coiled conductors (13), by a manoeuvre to bemade by hand horizontally from the outside towards the axis of thefixture, wherein, in some cases, said movable elements (not shown) haveto be inserted in fixed elements (1), through manoeuvres to be carriedout by hand horizontally and from the body axis outsidewards.

FIGS. 6, 8 and 12 show the movable elements (3′) closed at the endfacing the fixed element (1) and devoid of jackplugs (15) or springs(17), being intended for arms carrying no bulbs, while they have to beinserted in the fixed elements (1) to result to be inserted in alwaysequal guides, strongly united to the bodies, aligned with other armsand, as all, introduced by hand in the clutch seats. As such there-haveto be considered arms (4) generally known as “PASTORALS” from crystalfor chandeliers (FIGS. 1 and 2) and other arms that support decorativeelements such as crystal drops (34) (FIGS. 3 and 4). FIGS. 3 and 12 showhow are arranged the clutch fixed elements (1) for the movable and blindelements (3′) of the fork-arms (7, 8) which, carrying no bulbs, do notrequire connections and electric contacts.

We shall now examine in detail the contacts of the horizontal fittingsystems.

The central body (32, 33) comprises to shaped flat insulating elements(24) united to one another and forming restraining seats (37) of theconcentric coiled conductors (13) (FIG. 9). A shaped insulating ring(26) provided with protrusions acting as finger protections (FIG. 13)separates and insulates the two coiled conductors.

The shaped flat insulating elements (24), which may have differentdiameters and size, are united to one another by screws or tear offrivets (46) to form said central bodies (32) to which there may be addedthe movable and skew supports or clutches (29) that act as supports forthe arms that require horizontal clutch manoeuvres. Said arms arecantilevered and radial with respect to the body or bodies (32,33)provided with supports (29) united to one of the flat elements (24)through screws (28). They position the fixed seats for the horizontalclutches both for bulb-carrying arms (36) and for arms carrying no bulbs(8), which have the task of bearing and keeping in guide the metal ringor rings (38) which maintain in position all the ornamental crystaldrops (34) bound with one another by means of chains. The two elements(24) (FIG. 9) define the circular and peripheral cavities (37), seats ofthe coiled conductors (13). Said coiled conductors (13) end withextensions (45) to be connected to wires (20), as in other cases,inserted in the central tube (22) which protects them until they areconnected to the mains.

The ring nut (9) may be provided with hooking means or threads thatallow the fastening of said ring nut to the fixed clutch elements (1).Said ring nut is the means that fastens to said fixed element the endelements (3, 3′) when they are inserted in the cavity of the fixedelement (1).

The hooking of the end movable element (3, 3′) in the correspondingfixed element (1), obtained through ring nut (9), takes place whenjackplugs (15) or springs (17) are put in touch with the relatedconductors (10, 11) and when also the blind fittings (3′), devoid ofcontacts, are inserted in the seats of the fixed elements (1) to bestopped as the bulb-carrying arms.

What has been described hereinabove is the system suitable, withoutexceptions, for all the embodiments of the lighting fixture of thepresent invention, wherein there are used:

the end elements (3) of bulb-carrying arms provided with jackplugs (15)which inserts between the coils of the coiled conductors (10, 13) orsprings (17) to be inserted on the cylindrical conductors (11) (or alsoon flat conductors for horizontal clutches, not shown), in order toobtain the necessary contacts;

the two half-bodies (42, 44) which keep jackplugs (15) and spring (17)in the guide;

and tube (21), possibly provided with more or less linear reference andsliding guides, necessary when said end fits in the seat of the fixedclutch element (1) (FIG. 6). Said tube (21) is the envelope whereinthere is fixed with glues (39) the tubular arm (5) usually from crystal,in whose inside is located the double wire (41) which arrives at theattachment, either threaded or not, of bulb (6, 6′). The double wire(41) is fastened to each jackplug (15) or each spring (17) by clampsprovided with screws (43).

For the movable elements provided on the blind ends (3′) of the armscarrying no bulbs, a blind tube (25) is used that, guided as tube (21),keeps in position in the right seats the ornamental arms, for instancethe “pastorals” (4) (FIGS. 1 and 2). The blind tube end (3′) is fixed tothe tubular arm (4) by means of glues (39).

Concerning fixtures provided with vertical annular and cylindricalconductors (FIGS. 7 and 8), they include all the elements previouslyexamined for coiled conductors (FIG. 8), with the use of shaped springs(17) instead of jackplugs (15). On inserting the clutch, said springscreate each a stable contact with the provided conductors (11).

For the fixtures provided with horizontal coiled annular conductors (13)(FIGS. 10 and 11), clutch terminals are provided which are realisedaccording to what has been previously said for vertical coiled annularconductors (10). For the movable clutches of blind elements (3′) of thearms carrying no bulbs, necessary to support various elements such asrings (38) (FIGS. 3 and 12), a bracket (7,8) is provided withoutcontacts and with a locking screw (48).

All the contrivances and improvements which have been introduced by themethods and means described and represented herein are necessary todefine the lighting fixtures referred to hereinabove and which, to sumup, should be considered as having characteristics and properties whichrender them easily transportable in compact packages of a reduced size.

Besides, these fixtures can be assembled and mounted by those whopurchase them, as they do no require technicians and experts for theirfinal arrangement.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments, alternatives and variations are possible within the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighting fixture, comprising: a central bodyincluding a circular insulating element; a plurality of removable radialarms projecting from said central body wherein at least some of saidremovable radial arms are bulb carrying arms; a pair of concentricperipheral circular seats formed in said insulating element separated byan insulating ring; a plurality of protrusions extending from saidinsulating ring each being associated with a bulb carrying arm; a pairof electrical conductors in the form of annular spiral springs disposedin said circular seats; means for fastening said removable radial armsto said central body and electrically connecting said bulb carrying armsto a main; and said fastening means including a clutching meanscomprising: a fixed element associated with each removable radial armconnected to said central body, each fixed element associated with abulb carrying arm having said peripheral concentric seats and anextending protrusion serving as finger protection arranged at the basethereof; a movable element disposed at an end portion of each removableradial arm; each bulb carrying arm having electrical contact means inthe form of jackplugs projecting from the movable element and saidmovable element also including a central hole therein; the movableelement being designed to be inserted into said fixed element wherebywhen so inserted said jackplugs are inserted between adjoining windingsof said spiral springs disposed in said seats arranged at the base ofsaid fixed element and said extending protrusion is received in saidcentral hole.
 2. The lighting fixture according to claim 1, wherein thejackplugs have a diameter greater than the space between two adjoiningwindings of the spiral springs.
 3. The lighting fixture according toclaim 1, wherein the movable element connected to the end portion of anarm carrying no bulb, comprises a blind tube, inserted and fixed to saidend portion, and a ring nut surrounding and closing said blind tube atits open part opposite to the blind part.
 4. The lighting fixtureaccording to claim 1, wherein the movable element connected to the endportion of a bulb carrying arm comprises an open tube, inserted andfixed to said end portion, and two electric wires, each electric wirebeing connected, at one end, to a pole of a bulb-holder and, at theopposite end, to the jackplugs, the jackplugs being kept in position bytwo half-bodies inserted between the tube surface and each jackplug.